WATER AS A COMMON GOOD IN THE SOUTH AS IN THE NORTH OF THE WORLD

L’UNIONE FA PER TrE (UNITY IS STRENGTH) is the title of the new project approved by GSI Marche, a subsidiary of GSI Italia, by the Regional Authority as part of the International Cooperation and Global Citizenship programme. This programme was set up by the Marche Region to promote solidarity and development initiatives in the southern hemisphere and, at the same time, raise awareness among its citizens about North-South inequalities.

The initiative, designed by the Ascoli-based association GSI Marche, which has already been involved in development programmes in Mesoamerica in the past, in collaboration with the Province of Ascoli, complements the activities of the subsidiary GSI Italia, which operates in the Congolese province of South Ubangi with a programme of interventions promoted by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

In Gemena, the capital of the aforementioned province, water is an essential resource that the local population, particularly women and children, collects 3 km from the village due to the pollution of the water sources closest to the town.

The project aims to build a well, powered by photovoltaic panels, with deep groundwater extraction, avoiding the polluted aquifer and also providing for the installation of sanitation facilities and the collection and channelling of wastewater and sewage for distribution in tanks for animal drinking and garden irrigation.

The correct use of water resources, including in our region, is the additional message that the regional project aims to convey to schools in the Marche region, which will be involved in meetings and workshops throughout the school year, with the aim of promoting awareness and responsibility among young citizens towards populations in need in underdeveloped countries, facilitating their access to water, but also towards our school population, for the prudent consumption of this essential resource in our daily lives in our territories.